Brahma Peak

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Brahma Peak
Brahma Peak from Little Giant Pass.jpg
Southeast aspect, from Little Giant Pass
Highest point
Elevation 8,079 ft (2,462 m) [1]
Prominence 292 ft (89 m) [1]
Parent peak Buck Mountain [1] [2]
Isolation 1.67 mi (2.69 km) [1]
Coordinates 48°04′04″N120°54′48″W / 48.06778°N 120.91333°W / 48.06778; -120.91333 [3]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Brahma Peak
Location in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Brahma Peak
Location in the United States
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Chelan
Protected area Glacier Peak Wilderness
Parent range Cascade Range
North Cascades [3]
Topo map USGS Clark Mountain
Geology
Type of rock Schist [4]

Brahma Peak is a remote 8,079-foot (2,462-metre) mountain summit located on Chiwawa Ridge in the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state. The mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Buck Mountain, 1.8 mi (2.9 km) to the north. Brahma and Buck are set on Chiwawa Ridge, and other notable peaks on this ridge include Fortress Mountain, Cirque Mountain, Napeequa Peak, Mount Berge, Bandit Peak, and Chiwawa Mountain. Precipitation runoff from Brahma and meltwater from its glacier remnants drains into Chiwawa River and Napeequa River, both tributaries of the Wenatchee River. Topographic relief is significant since the southwest lavender-colored schist cliffs of this peak rise nearly 4,000 feet above the Napeequa River Valley in approximately one mile.

Contents

Geology

Brahma Peak centered Brahma from Carne Mountain trail.jpg
Brahma Peak centered

The North Cascades feature some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, ridges, and deep glacial valleys. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. [5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [5] Glacier Peak, a stratovolcano that is 9.8 mi (15.8 km) west-northwest of Brahma Peak, began forming in the mid-Pleistocene. [4] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [5]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [5] The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of recent glaciation. Several glaciers lie on the slopes of Buck Mountain. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.

Climate

Brahma Peak (left) and Buck Mountain Brahma Peak and Buck Mountain in North Cascades.jpg
Brahma Peak (left) and Buck Mountain

Brahma Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [4] Many weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. [4] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. [4] During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer. [4] Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) or above 80 °F (27 °C). [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Fortress Mountain is an 8,679-foot (2,645 m) peak in the Cascade Range located about 15 miles (24 km) west of Lake Chelan in Chelan/Snohomish Counties, Washington, United States. It straddles the border between the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Wenatchee National Forest, and is also part of the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Fortress Mountain is the highest point on Chiwawa Ridge, and other notable peaks on this ridge include Napeequa Peak, Buck Mountain, Brahma Peak, Bandit Peak, Mount Berge, Helmet Butte, and Chiwawa Mountain.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount David (Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount David is a prominent 7,420-foot (2,260-metre) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. The mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Mount David is the highest point of Wenatchee Ridge, a subrange which also includes Indian Head Peak, Whittier Peak, Mount Saul, and Mount Jonathan. Its nearest higher neighbor is Bandit Peak, 5.69 mi (9.16 km) to the east-northeast. Precipitation runoff from Mount David drains into tributaries of the White River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since Mt. David rises 5,100 feet above the White River Valley in two miles. This peak was named for the biblical David by Albert Hale Sylvester, a pioneer surveyor, explorer, topographer, and forest supervisor in the Cascades who named thousands of natural features. This mountain can be climbed via the strenuous seven-mile Mount David Trail with over 5,000 feet of elevation gain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arrowhead Mountain (Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Arrowhead Mountain is a 6,030 ft (1,840 m) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. It is situated 6 mi (9.7 km) east of Stevens Pass, on the boundary of Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Arrowhead Mountain is part of the Chiwaukum Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range. Its nearest higher neighbor is Jim Hill Mountain, 2.5 mi (4.0 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of Nason Creek, which in turn is a tributary of the Wenatchee River. This mountain was named by Albert Hale Sylvester (1871–1944), a pioneering surveyor, explorer, topographer, and forest supervisor who named hundreds of natural features in the Cascades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carne Mountain</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Carne Mountain is a 7,080+ ft double-summit mountain located in the Entiat Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state. Carne Mountain is situated on the boundary of the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher neighbor is Chilly Peak, 1.4 miles (2.3 km) to the northeast, and Ice Box is set 1.7 miles (2.7 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains east into Rock Creek, or west into Phelps Creek, both tributaries of the Chiwawa River. This peak can be accessed via the 3.7-mile Carne Mountain Trail which gains 3,600 feet of elevation. The mountain once had a fire lookout building on its south peak. Views from the top include Bandit Peak, Brahma Peak, Buck Mountain, Fortress Mountain, Chiwawa Mountain, Mount Maude, Ice Box, and Chilly. This mountain was named by Albert Hale Sylvester for English clergyman W. Stanely Carnes. This feature is pronounced "karn".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fifth of July Mountain</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Fifth of July Mountain is a 7,696 ft (2,350 m) mountain summit located in the Entiat Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state. Fifth of July Mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher neighbor is Chilly Peak, 3.8 miles (6.1 km) to the north-northwest, and Carne Mountain is set 4 miles (6.4 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into Rock Creek which is a tributary of the Chiwawa River, or east into Cow Creek, a tributary of the Entiat River. This geographical feature was named by surveyor Albert Hale Sylvester for the day he visited it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helmet Butte</span> Mountain of Washington (state)

Helmet Butte is a 7,400-foot (2,256-metre) summit located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grasshopper Peak</span>

Grasshopper Peak is a 6,850-foot-elevation (2,088-meter) mountain summit in Chelan County of Washington state.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 ""Brahma Peak" - 8,079' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  2. "Brahma Peak". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  3. 1 2 "Brahma Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.